Inviting the audiences to revel in a magnificent short film celebration in October, Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF, 17–27 October) announces the contestants of the international and national short film competitions. Tickets to the short film competitions’ screenings are available on the festival website (rigaiff.lv), and at Biļešu Serviss sales points.

"Cinema stands for diversity!"

A joint call to safeguard democracy and stand up for diversity and exchange across borders and cultures ended this year's General Assembly of the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas – CICAE on the 15th of May 2024 in Cannes.The participating cinemas and associations from 17 countries likewise called on EU citizens to exercise their right to vote in the European elections on 6-9 June 2024.

Arthouse cinemas around the world are committed to programmes that showcase diversity and artistic freedom, sometimes under difficult circumstances. As crucial cultural hubs for their local communities and through open exchange with audiences, filmmakers and their works, cinemas promote tolerance, freedom of expression and provide a crucial space for core democratic values as a whole. With its projects and actions, the CICAE continues to support cinemas in countries where these values are increasingly under threat or no longer existing at all. This increasing threat makes it all the more crucial that democracy, for example through elections, is practised by everyone.

For CICAE President Dr Christian Bräuer, it is clear that cinemas, as places of democracy, require special protection: "Those who support independent cinemas, with their diverse programmes, festivals and series for audiences of all sizes and ages and their mission to provide a forum for different ideas and cultural expressions, are strengthening any open society. Our appeal is therefore also directed at politicians to recognise the value of cinemas for the community and to ensure their survival."

Expansion of Activities to Strengthen International Collaboration across the Sector

The CICAE itself is expanding its activities to enable international collaboration across the sector following the relocation of the renowned global initiative Arthouse Cinema Training (19-25 August 2024) to Berlin and the change in management to Sebastian Naumann. The international members of the association’s Board of Directors have been working on numerous projects. These include the development of the global day of action of independent cinemas, the European Arthouse Cinema Day on 17 November 2024, and the expansion of the Arthouse Cinema Awards, in which juries of cinema exhibitors at international festivals around the world shine a spotlight on films with special cultural and artistic value. A new addition, following the spirit of international collaboration, is the platform Arthouse Cinema Hub, which enables cinemas around the world to share best practice and highlight their work and initiatives (www.arthousecinemahub.com).

Taking Stock: The State of the Sector

During the well-attended members' meeting, hosted by CICAE president Christian Bräuer, attendees from across the world presented and discussed current developments. Despite significant challenges representatives from most territories expressed optimistim about the future of the sector and reaffirmed the continuous key role of independent and arthouse cinemas for cultural diversity and the wellbeing of the international audiovisual ecosystem. In the afternoon, the members met for several workshops to develop perspectives for the association’s projects and activities.

For Christian Bräuer, international collaboration and exchange remains crucial for the wellbeing of cinemas everywhere and, by extension, for the wellbeing of the audiovisual sector as a whole.

"Running an arthouse cinema is becoming increasingly complex and demanding everywhere!", says Bräuer. "In the ‚Filterworld‘ age where algorithms dictate what we see on our small screens, cinemas offer people a unique cultural forum where audiences can engage with and focus on a wide range of programmes and perspectives. They remain the last mile for any film to reach and form a connection with their audiences. Since the end of the pandemic, audiences are returning in droves, led by the enthusiastic embrace of the cinematic experience by younger people “.

Yet, cinemas are threatened, says Bräuer, by exponential growth of operating costs and an increasingly unfavourable political climate. Bräuer:

„In order to continue their crucial mission, cinemas require political support, tailor-made funding, and regulations that provide an equitable playing field for all actors within the audiovisual ecosystem“.

 

Berlin, Germany - February 24, 2024 -Today were announced the winners of the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival. Recognizing exceptional artistry and storytelling in independent cinema, the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award is given at major international festivals by an international jury of arthouse cinema exhibitors and programmers, which aims at bringing high-quality films to the arthouse cinemas. The Jury is composed of arthouse cinema exhibitors and members of the association, who apply through our website to become part of this initiative. In the case of Berlinale, the festival hosts yearly two CICAE juries, one in the Panorama Section, and the second one in the Forum Section.  

CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award - Panorama  

The Panorama Jury proudly awarded the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award to the Norwegian film "Sex" directed by Dag Johan Haugerud. The film captivated the jury with its poignant exploration of relationships, and societal norms. In their statement, the jury highlighted “the film's ability to blend humor and introspection to challenge normative images of men and society in urban Norway”. They praised the film's “strong but gentle sense of humor and its depiction of characters unafraid to express their feelings”. The jury also commended the film's “formal intelligence, which combines cinematic movements with majestic musical interludes, offering audiences a window into the constant changes and questioning of modern society” (full statement below) 

CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award - Forum 

Meanwhile, the Forum Jury honored the German film "Shahid" directed by Narges Kalhor with the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award. The jury applauded the film for “its bold and multi-layered approach, tearing down conventions and borders”. They lauded the director's ability to “balance reality and fiction, humor and tragedy, and various art forms and emotions, creating a powerful cinematic experience”. "Shahid" was celebrated for its honest and intimate portrayal of significant issues, coupled with self-irony and grace. (full statement below) 

The jury panels, composed of distinguished arthouse cinema exhibitors and professionals from across Europe, including Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Romania, carefully deliberated to select the winners. 

Panorama Jury members 

• Victor Courgeon - Melies, Montreuil, France. 

• Anna Kruse - Capitol, Marburg, Germany. 

• Ilona Van Heeckeren - Natlab, Eindhoven, Netherlands. 

Forum Jury members:  

• Anca Caramelea - Cinema ARTA, Romania. 

• Andrea Crozzoli - Cinemazero, Italy. 

• Stefan Malešević - De Balie, Netherlands 

The Arthouse Cinema Award helps the films towards distribution, by systematically informing the over 2,400 member cinemas and the numerous contacts in its network.  

As part of the award, the members of the CICAE will receive a special newsletter with a "Film in Focus", which will include information on the awarded films: synopsis, cast and technical information, international sales and distributors contacts, promotional material and when possible a screener of the film. 

The CICAE will also communicate about the Arthouse Cinema Award also in our monthly newsletter, which reaches over 4,000 contacts among which the CICAE members, film professionals, partners and supporters of the association. Likewise, the CICAE will promote the awarded films on all our social media channels, mainly Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. 

The CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award celebrates outstanding filmmaking that challenges, inspires, and resonates with audiences on a profound level. The winners, "Sex" and "Shahid," exemplify the power of cinema to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and foster understanding. 

For more information about the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award, please visit https://cicae.org/activities/awards 

Contact: Dominga Ortuzar 
dominga.ortuzar@cicae.org 

The Slovenian Film Centre announced new production grants on 27 August 2024.

Most productions will be premiered in Sibiu. Early bird passes available until September 10th

Leading industry event, to be held in Vilnius from 8-11 October 2024, reveals slate of 12 projects from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and - guest country - Croatia that will take part

Mark your calendar to join hands with hundreds of arthouse cinemas across the world to celebrate and take a stand for democracy and (film-) cultural diversity: The 9^th edition of the European Arthouse Cinema Day will take place on 17 November 2024.

We look forward to celebrating the richness and diversity of arthouse Cinemas and European films with you. Registrations will open in the summer on our website. You can also stay up to date by following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

An introductory session with information on how to participate as well as how to make the best the event will take place online on Wednesday 3 July at 2:00 p.m. CET. You can join the session at the link below (on Zoom)

For additional information please contact Quentin Bucher, Project Manager:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION OF INTERNATIONAL ARTHOUSE CINEMAS

The EACD is a call to action and the day where arthouse cinemas across the world join hands to showcase their vital role in preserving cultural diversity and democratic life. Especially in this pivotal election year, with crucial votes held in Europe, the US, India and beyond, the EACD highlights this unique role by sending a clear message: the arthouse movement stands up for tolerance, democracy and open exchanges beyond borders and cultures.

 

1. International ambassadors of the EACD 2024: filmmakers and actors from different countries will support the event by promoting it, and participating in events on the day
2. Free artwork and marketing materials for your cinema
3. Marketing guidelines to support your local actions
4. Opportunities to connect with cinemas worldwide
5. Sources for great films with lists of recommended films for various audiences from our international partner institutions
6. Promotion and activities on our social media channels

 

Seven days of learning, growing, and fostering connection across the (arthouse) world: At the Arthouse Cinema Training in Berlin, exhibitors came together for global collaboration and exchange